FAQs

A: There are time limits for parking meters. The maximum amount of time a vehicle can remain in the metered space is indicated on the meter face and by the color on the top of the meter. If you remain parked at the meter after the maximum time allotted you may receive a ticket for an overtime violation. You must move your vehicle to a different location when the time has expired. You cannot "feed" the meter nor can you "jockey" your vehicle. This is the act of moving just a few spaces or to the other side of the street or lot. To allow as many people as possible the opportunity to park you must relocate your vehicle to another zone, street or lot. Long term parking is available in the EJ Gare Garage, Round House, Old South, Hampton, Union Station and James House lots. Two and Four hour parking meters are available in the Forbes Library lot.

Yellow Top Meter = 30 minutes maximum = .25 total

Green Top Meter = 1 hour maximum = .75 per hour

Blue Top Meter = 2 hours maximum = .75 per hour - *Except Main St.

Blue Top Meter on Main St. = 2 hours maximum = 1.00 per hour

Orange Top Meter = 4 hours maximum = .25 per hour

Red Top Meter = 10 hours maximum = .50 per hour

Q:What is a Pay-by-Plate Kiosk and how do I use it?A: The City of Northampton has launched a new pay-by-plate parking system in downtown that replaces the older pay and display technology requiring drivers to purchase time and display a paper receipt on their dashboard. The new system also accepts credit cards and a smartphone app will be available in the near future. Pay-by-Plate Kiosks are currently in use in Municipal Parking Lots, the Gothic St. Garage, on Merrick Lane and both sides of Main St.

Q: How much does it cost to park at meters and in municipal parking lots?A:

One Hour Meters = .75 per hour

Two Hour Meters = .75 per hour - *Except Main St.

Two Hour Meters on Main St = 1.00 per hour

Long-Term Meters = .50 per hour

Short-Term Lots = .75 per hour

Long-Term Lots = .25 per hour

Q: What is Parkmobile?A: Parkmobile is a pay by phone parking option used as an app on your smartphone. The parking enforcement officer will use your license plate number and parking zone number to view your Parkmobile payment on a handheld device. Please make sure you enter the correct plate number when creating a Parkmobile account to ensure your parking transactions are correctly recorded. More information can be found on the Parkmobile website

Q:How do I pay a parking ticket?A: Please allow 30 minutes after a ticket is issued for it to be available for payment on-line or by telephone.

When making payments on-line or by telephone you will need the ticket number and the vehicle registration number.

A convenience fee of $3.50 will be charged for each ticket paid on-line or by telephone.

Walk-in payments can also be made at the Parking Office Monday-Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm with the exception of holidays.

Q: How long do I have to pay a ticket before a late fee is added?A: In accordance with Massachusetts Law fines must be paid or appealed within 21 days from the date the ticket was issued. After 21 days a late fee of $10 is added to the total amount due. For failure to pay within 60 days the Registry of Motor Vehicles is notified and additional penalties are added to the ticket.

Q: Can I pay E-Z Pass or MassDOT Violations at your office?A: No, these violations must be paid through their respective violation processing systems.

Q: How do I dispute a ticket?A: MGL Chapter 90, Section 20A ½ allows individuals to appeal unpaid parking tickets within 21 days from the date the ticket was issued. The appeal must be in writing and include the name and address of the person appealing the ticket, the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle if it is not the same, and the reason for the appeal. The appeal must include any evidence, diagrams or documentation supporting the appeal. A parking ticket appeal may be submitted in one of three ways:

Once the Parking Office receives the appeal, the ticket is placed on "hold" and does not accumulate penalties during the duration of the appeal process. You will receive a written response from the Hearing Officer within 21 days. In the event your appeal request is denied an Administrative Hearing may be requested prior to the new payment due date set by the Hearing Officer. Decisions made by the Parking Administrator at the hearing are final. A final judgment issued by the Parking Administrator may only be appealed to Superior Court. The individual must contact Hampshire Superior Court directly to obtain information on the process by calling or visiting the Superior Court Clerk located at 15 Gothic Street, Northampton.

Q: I received a notice for an unpaid ticket - I believe I already paid it - what do I do now? A: Please contact the Parking Office at 413-587-1025 to check on the status of a ticket. Should the status check show the ticket as unpaid you will be asked to provide proof of payment. This may be a receipt or if paid by check a copy of the front and back of the check.

Q: I parked at a meter and received a ticket because the meter was expired; I think the meter was brokenA: Defective meters must be reported to meter maintenance for verification. The meter repair hotline number 587-1099 is shown on all parking meters and pay-to park stations. If you believe you have received a ticket in error because of a broken meter you must still appeal the ticket in writing either on-line or by mail.

Q: I received a ticket for parking within 3 feet of a driveway - why is this?A: Under City of Northampton Ordinance §312-27 (H) "No person shall allow, permit or suffer any vehicle registered in their name to stand or park in any street, way, highway, road or parkway under the control of the City ... within three feet of a driveway". What if it is my own driveway? The ordinance does not exclude homeowners or residents from this regulation.

Q: Is there a City Ordinance about the distance vehicles must be from an intersection when parking?A: Yes, §312-27 (I) states - "no vehicle shall park on any street or highway within 20 feet of an intersecting way".

Q: I received a ticket for parking to far from the curb, why?A: When a vehicle is parked upon a roadway under the control of the City of Northampton both wheels on the right side of the vehicle must be within 12 inches of the curb or edge of the road. This does not apply to streets or parts of streets where angle parking is required by regulation.

Q: What is the regulation about parking near a fire hydrant?A: In accordance with §312-27(I) - No vehicle shall park upon any street or highway within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.

Q: Is there a City Ordinance about parking and bike lanes in Northampton?A: Bike lanes have been established within the City of Northampton on certain public ways for the use of non-motorized bicycle traffic. A bike lane is designated by means of painted lines, pavement coloring or other appropriate markings. §312-99B of the City ordinances prohibits vehicles from parking within a designated bike lane in a manner which would obstruct bicyclist passage. The reason for this is to ensure the safety of the cyclists using the bicycle lane. When the lane is obstructed, the cyclist is forced to leave the lane and turn into the street which may endanger the cyclist.